The Japanese government is to maintain its policy of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) for the next decade.
The government decision follows a basic policy outline compiled by the Atomic Energy Commission which calls for a nuclear fuel cycle based on mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. The plutonium-uranium fuel uses plutonium reprocessed from SNF at light water reactors and the commission endorsed the policy following a comparative study of the costs and risks of disposing of SNF instead of reprocessing it.
However, the commission also recommends that the government study methods for the disposal of SNF.
Related ArticlesDounreay waste shaft plan
